A framework for an interchange format to meet the current and future needs of additive manufacturing technology is specified. Up to now STL file format has been the industry standard for transferring data between design programs and additive manufacturing equipment and its functionality is limited. The additive manufacturing file (AMF) can be prepared, displayed, and transmitted on paper or electronically, provided the information required by this specification is included. When prepared in a structured electronic format, strict adherence to an extensible markup language (XML)schema is required to support standards-compliant interoperability. A W3C XML schema is detailed and Annex A1 contains an implementation guide for such representation.

Powders/Process

Additively manufactured titanium-6aluminum-4vanadium (Ti-6Al-4V) components using full-melt powder bed fusion such as electron beam melting and laser melting are specified. Classifications of the components, the feedstock used to manufacture Class 1, 2, and 3 components, as well as the microstructure of the components are detailed along with mechanical properties, chemical composition, and minimum tensile properties of the components produced.

Techniques for metal powder characterization are explained that may be useful for powder-based additive manufacturing processes including binder jetting, directed energy deposition, and powder bed fusion. The guide references other standards that may be applicable for the characterization of virgin and used metal powders processed in additive manufacturing systems.

BS ISO 17296
Additive manufacturing. General principles

Part 2: 2015 Overview of process categories and feedstock

Process fundamentals of Additive Manufacturing (AM) are defined and an overview presented of existing process categories; these are not and cannot be exhaustive due to the rapid development of new technologies. The standard explains how different process categories make use of different types of materials to shape a product’s geometry, and also describes which type of material is used in different process categories.

Part 3: 2014 Main characteristics and corresponding test methods

The principal requirements applied to testing of parts manufactured by additive manufacturing processes are described. The main quality characteristics of parts and appropriate test procedures are specified, and recommendations given for the scope and content of test and supply agreements. The standard is aimed at machine manufacturers, feedstock suppliers, machine users, part providers, and customers to facilitate the communication on main quality characteristics, and applies wherever additive manufacturing processes are used

Part 4: 2014 Overview of data processing

The standard deals with the principal considerations which apply to data exchange for additive manufacturing. Terms and definitions describing geometries or parts such that they can be additively manufactured are specified. The data exchange method outlines file type, data enclosed formatting of such data and what this can be used for. The standard is aimed at users and producers of additive manufacturing processes and associated software systems. It applies wherever additive processes are used, and particularly to the production of additive manufacturing systems and equipment, including software; software engineers involved in CAD/CAE systems; reverse engineering systems developers; and test bodies wishing to compare requested and actual geometries

Best practice guidance is given on the design of all types of products, systems, components, devices, etc. made by any type of additive manufacturing (AM) system. The guide is aimed at designers, CAD/mechanical design students and AM equipment developers.

A method of defining the requirements for plastic materials for use in extrusion-based AM is described. The materials include unfilled, filled and reinforced plastics materials, and special additives, e.g. fire retardants.

Terms used in additive manufacturing (AM) technology, which applies the additive shaping principle and thereby builds physical 3D geometries by successive addition of material, are established and defined. The terms have been classified by application.

Terms, definitions of terms, descriptions of terms, nomenclature, and acronyms associated with coordinate systems and testing methodologies for additive manufacturing (AM) technologies are included in an effort to standardise terminology used by AM users, producers, researchers, educators, press/media, and others, particularly when reporting results from testing of parts made on AM systems. Terms included cover definitions for machines/systems and their coordinate systems plus the location and orientation of parts. Compliance with ISO 841 is sought, and specific adaptations of those principles to additive manufacturing are clarified. Discussions are underway regarding the applicability of the standard to cladding; non-Cartesian systems are not covered.

A standard procedure for reporting results by testing or evaluation of specimens produced by additive manufacturing (AM) is described. This practice provides a common format for presenting data for AM specimens to establish further data reporting requirements, and to provide information for the design of material property databases.

The standard acts as a guide to existing standards or variations of existing ASTM standards that may be used to determine specific mechanical properties of materials made with an additive manufacturing process.